2015 was a breakout year for Allies! Together with supporters and partners like you, we've achieved significant milestones and made important advances in the Slave-Free City movement.

Modern slavery is one of the most complex, challenging problems we face today. Yet as Nelson Mandela said, "[Slavery] is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings."

[Slavery] is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. 

— Nelson Mandela

Mandela's words and our successes this year help reinforce in me one of Allies' deepest held beliefs: slavery is not an inevitable human condition. As you can see in our interactive timeline for 2015, we're making freedom a reality. We've helped more people on their journey from victim to survivor to leader. We've mobilized and equipped more community members to take meaningful action where they live. And we've enhanced the network of partners who are working to stop traffickers and care for victims and survivors.

As I look back at these milestones, I'm reminded of the thousands of people who helped make them possible. Each of you helped advance the Slave-Free City movement in meaningful ways – whether you signed a petition, volunteered at an event, took part in a campaign, collaborated on a program, supported survivors, shared our work with a friend, or made a donation. On behalf of our team, thank you!

That's what makes Allies so special and that's why I have great optimism for 2016. We believe hope is a disposition, a way of thinking and acting that becomes part of our character as we struggle to overcome obstacles. I've watched you overcome the challenges of human trafficking and advance freedom again and again. You model hope, what it really means to be Allies in the long work of justice, and I have no doubt that will be our shared story again next year.

We believe hope is a disposition, a way of thinking and acting that becomes part of our character as we struggle to overcome obstacles.

So let's celebrate all we accomplished together in 2015, and I hope you join us in 2016 to build cities where traffickers can't exploit the vulnerable and where survivors can truly heal.